Reading intent on recruiting proven talent

Reading manager Brian McDermott is keen to add experience to his squad when the transfer window opens.

The Royals remain bottom of the Premier League table following Monday’s 5-2 hammering at home by Arsenal.

The club’s Russian owner Anton Zingarevich maintains funds will be available to bring in fresh faces in January and McDermott reckons players with top-flight experience could prove pivotal in their fight against relegation.

‘It would be good to see if we could get two or three players who have played at the top level,’ he said.

‘They need to know the level and have played there and been there, seen it and done it. Whether we can do that or not, time will tell. I had a discussion [with Zingarevich], we had a four-hour meeting the other day and talked about players coming through the door.’

However, McDermott warned: ‘January is a very difficult window, especially if you are where we are in the league.’